Alaska

Alaska’s unusual House primary draws Palin, Santa, 46 others

Published

2 years ago

June 5, 2022

Alaska’s unusual House primary draws Palin, Santa, 46 others

JUNEAU, Alaska — (AP) — Alaska voters are dealing with an election not like any they’ve seen, with 48 candidates working to succeed the person who had held the state’s solely U.S. Home seat for 49 years.

Whereas a few of the candidates on this week’s particular main have title recognition, together with Sarah Palin and Santa Claus — sure, Santa Claus — many are relative unknowns or political novices — a fishing information, a contractor, a gold miner who went to jail for allegedly threatening federal land managers.

The massive variety of candidates and the brief timeline for holding the election after Republican U.S. Rep. Don Younger’s loss of life on March 18 has some voters overwhelmed and scrambling to study extra about their choices. This would be the first election beneath a system authorized by voters in 2020 that ends get together primaries, which means all candidates are on the identical one-page poll.

The 4 candidates who win probably the most votes will advance to an August particular election, during which ranked selection voting can be used. The winner of that contest will serve the rest of Younger’s time period, which ends in January. A separate set of elections later this yr will resolve who serves a two-year time period starting in January.

Max Sumner, a normal contractor from Wasilla working for the seat as a Republican, stated he is as severe about his bid “as anybody else that is aware of they don’t seem to be going to win.” He stated he was concerned about being a part of the “first experiment” beneath the brand new elections course of and in saying he had run for Congress.

“I don’t agree with the federal government being run by profession politicians. I feel it ought to be like a pair phrases and also you’re out,” he stated.

He stated he voted for himself and is asking others to take action however is not campaigning. He stated he is additionally pulling for one more Republican within the race, Josh Revak, a state senator who was co-chair of Younger’s reelection marketing campaign and has been endorsed by Younger’s widow.

In all, there are 16 Republican candidates together with Palin, a former Alaska governor; Nick Begich, a businessman from a political household of outstanding Democrats; former state lawmaker John Coghill; and Tara Sweeney, who additionally was a co-chair of Younger’s marketing campaign and who has been endorsed by a gaggle representing leaders of the state’s influential Alaska Native regional companies.

Practically half the candidates working, 22, are independents. That features Al Gross, an orthopedic surgeon who ran for Senate in 2020 with help from the state Democratic get together, and a self-described “impartial, progressive, democratic socialist” whose authorized title is Santa Claus and who serves on the town council for the group of North Pole.

Gross angered some Democrats when in an interview with the Anchorage Day by day Information he did not decide to caucusing with Democrats if elected. He has since stated he would. The Alaska Democratic get together has urged voters to select from one of many six Democrats working.

The closest a Democrat got here to beating Younger within the final 20 years was in 2008, when Younger received 50% of the vote and Ethan Berkowitz 45%.

“Alaskans have this propensity to vote for establishment, gauge viability, vote for the satan you realize, and I actually assume beneath this new system, particularly with ranked selection voting, we have now a possibility to vary” that dynamic, stated Lindsay Kavanaugh, the Alaska Democratic get together’s govt director.

Revak launched a video during which he says he is “waging a battle on Santa” and his “Marxist fantasies.” Revak’s marketing campaign stated the video was meant to be light-hearted, however Claus stated he is not working as a joke.

“I’m 75, and I need to spend my time and power properly,” Claus stated.

Claus’ candidacy and notably his help of abortion rights caught the eye of voter Sandi Hicks, a Juneau impartial. She final month sought recommendation on a group Fb web page about the place to seek out candidate data. Commenters shared hyperlinks to information websites, together with one which posted candidate surveys.

Others on her brief checklist embrace Gross; Democrat Mary Peltola, a former legislator; and impartial Jeff Lowenfels, a gardening knowledgeable with a authorized background, together with as a former assistant legal professional normal.

“I’m feeling like I’m extra snug about, you realize, as a substitute of 48 individuals, I’m down to 3 or 4 individuals,” Hicks stated.

Round 100,000 ballots have already got been returned in what’s primarily a by-mail election. That’s greater than the 88,817 forged within the 2016 common main, when turnout was simply 17%. It is anybody’s guess how most of the ballots despatched to registered voters can be returned.

There are alternatives for in-person or early voting in round 165 communities, lots of them rural, the place mail service could be spotty. The state Division of Elections and advocacy teams have been working to coach voters on the brand new elections course of, together with reminding them they solely decide one candidate this go-round.

The division’s on-line candidate checklist consists of contact data and hyperlinks to candidate web sites, for individuals who have them. One candidate, Republican John T. Callahan, has an internet site merely that includes a quote typically attributed to Civil Battle Normal William Tecumseh Sherman: “If nominated, I can’t run. If elected, I can’t serve.”

Libertarian Chris Bye stated his candidacy started with him and others complaining about Congress and difficult one another to run. He determined to go for it. He is without doubt one of the few candidates, together with Begich and Democrat Christopher Fixed, who started working for the Home earlier than Younger’s loss of life.

Bye, who stated he stop his job with the army to run, calls himself a “regular dude.” He stated he works in retail and as a fishing information and that Congress wants individuals like him.

“I consider that typical Alaskans could make higher selections than groomed or skilled politicians, interval,” he stated.

Coghill, whose late father was closely concerned in Alaska politics, stated he is “sorry” there are such a lot of candidates “as a result of it makes it extra complicated (in) a really complicated election.”

Title recognition on this race is vital, he stated.

“My title is at the very least acknowledged, typically effectively revered, typically not so effectively — however at the very least identified,” Coghill stated.

Adam Wool, a state lawmaker working as a Democrat within the race, stated the election reminds him of the net ballot in Britain years in the past during which individuals had been requested what the nation’s new polar analysis vessel ought to be known as. The runaway profitable suggestion: Boaty McBoatface.

“This election has a bit of little bit of that going for it, with a bunch of folks that we don’t know and other people with humorous names and celebrity-type candidates, like Sarah Palin,” he stated, including that he does not need the election to show into one the place individuals make selections for “shock worth.”

“I do not need (voters) to Boaty McBoatface the Alaskan election,” he stated.

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Alaska

Southern Alaska no new fires reported: Fire crews take advantage with medical training

Published

17 mins ago

July 8, 2024

Press Room

Southern Alaska no new fires reported: Fire crews take advantage with medical training

By Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection on July 8, 2024

Southern Alaska continued to experience cloudy, wet, and rainy weather on Sunday, further reducing fire activity with no new fires reported across the entire state. As fire danger moderates across the state, all burn permit suspensions have been lifted statewide. This allows residents to conduct small debris burns, utilize burn barrels, and complete small lawn burns with a valid burn permit. More information about the DOF Burn Permit program and current suspensions can be found at DOF Burn Permit Program.

This report covers fires occurring in the Division of Alaska Forestry & Fire Protection’s coastal protection area, generally south of the Alaska Range. This includes the DOF protection areas of Southwest, Anchorage Mat-Su, Kenai-Kodiak, and Copper River.

Costal Region Fires of Interest. Click for downloadable PDF.

Pictured here is the Gannett Glacier fire crew taking advantage of the break in fire activity by training in medical simulations.

Gannett Glacier Fire Crew practicing medical transport with a sked
Image by Michelle Coale/DOF

Gannett Glacier Fire Crew practicing wound dressing
Image by Michelle Coale/DOF

The crew is taking advantage of recent rainy weather to practice medical simulations on the Montana Creek Fire. These medical simulations and exercises help ensure the firefighters are prepared to handle a variety of emergency medical situations they may encounter on the fire line.

‹ Firefighters continue to make progress toward objectives and demobilize across DOF’s Northern Region

Categories: Alaska DNR – Division of Forestry (DOF)

Tags: 2024 Alaska Fire Season, AKDOF, Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection, DOF Coastal Region, Kenai-Kodiak Area Forestry, Mat-Su Area Forestry

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Alaska

Horror on Alaska fishing boat as young crewmember is swept up by net and plunged into ocean

Published

7 hours ago

July 8, 2024

Press Room

Horror on Alaska fishing boat as young crewmember is swept up by net and plunged into ocean

A 21-year-old fisherman died after his gear dragged him into the water in Southwest Alaska, officials said.

Commercial fishing crewmember Corwin Wheeler fell from the boat in Kvichak Bay Friday, while fishing salmon.

A mayday call reported him overboard at 12:31 pm, spurring a rescue operation.

The bay has some of the highest tides in the world, and the operation was ultimately unsuccessful.

Officials said Wheeler first became tangled in his fishing gear, before being pulled overboard and into the water. Tributes have since poured in for the young angler, headed by his father.

Commercial salmon fisher Corwin Wheeler, 21, fell from a boat in Kvichak Bay Friday while fishing salmon, officials said

‘On 07/05/2024 at approximately 1231 hours, DPS Patrol Vessel Stimson received a MAYDAY call from a commercial salmon fisherman in Kvichak Bay stating he lost a crewman over the side of his vessel,’ the Alaska Department of Public Safety said in a statement.

‘AWT [Alaska Wildlife Troops] responded to the area with two patrol skiffs and arrived just as the reporting vessel had located and retrieved their unconscious crewmember out of the water.

‘AWT performed lifesaving measures for approximately one hour prior to pronouncing the crewman deceased.

‘Investigation revealed [he] had become entangled in fishing gear and was pulled overboard and underwater.

‘Next of kin has been notified.’

The boy’s father posted to Facebook a day later, revealing how Corwin had been an only child.

‘I loved him more than anything else in the world,’ Jeff Rowe, of Illinois, wrote Saturday.

‘I pray he knows that, and I hope he has found peace. More info will be posted when it’s available.’

A subsequent rescue proved unsuccessful. Corwin lived in Madison and was born in Salem, his social media shows. He was an only child

Photos show him happily working the Bering Sea, as a salmon fishermen for Alaskan Leader Fisheries

The bay has some of the highest tides in the world, which proved fatal for the young fisherman. It is located about 435 miles southwest of Anchorage

According to his social media, Corwin lived in Madison, and was born in Salem.

Photos show him happily working the Bering Sea, as a salmon fishermen for Alaskan Leader Fisheries.

The company is one of the largest fishing companies in Alaska, and own four super long-liners that operate year-round, according to its website.

It bill itself as one of ‘the most progressive, innovative and vertically integrated “Hook & Line“ fishing compan[ies] in Alaska,’ meaning fisherman fish by means of a series of baited hooks.

Corwin worked on one of three fishing vessels, the F/V Alaskan Leader, F/V Bristol Leader and the F/V Bering Leader.

DailyMail.com has reached out to the company for comment, as investigators confirm Corwin accidentally became entangled in his gear.

A caller then told troopers the deckhand went over the side of the commercial fishing vessel before being sucked underneath, upon which he inhaled a fatal amount of water.

Corwin – seen here gripping a grouper – worked on one of three fishing vessels, the F/V Alaskan Leader, F/V Bristol Leader and the F/V Bering Leader

The bay where Corwin has been working was also particularly well known for its inherent dangers. It can be found on the upper reaches of the bay, which is one of the most dangerous regions in the world for large vessels

The dangers of working the Bering Sea are well known – with trawlers by and large painting it as one of the coldest and most dangerous seas across the globe.

It is one of the most dangerous places to fish in the world. Decorated commercial fisherman Corey Arnold has called the sea ‘a continuous storm.’

The bay where Corwin has been working was also particularly well known for its inherent dangers.

It can be found on the northeast side of Bristol Bay, near King Salmon.

More specifically, it can be found on the upper reaches of the bay, which experience some of the highest tides in the world.

In some parts, tidal extremes in excess of 30 feet have been measured, the eighth highest in the world.

Coupled with an outsized amount of shoals, unseen sandbars, and shallows, this makes navigation troublesome, especially amid frequently strong winds.

It is also the shallowest part of the Bering Sea, making it one of the most dangerous regions for large vessels.

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Alaska

Alaskan mother, who lost son to Fentanyl, reacts to SCOTUS rejecting controversial Purdue Pharma settlement

Published

14 hours ago

July 8, 2024

Press Room

Alaskan mother, who lost son to Fentanyl, reacts to SCOTUS rejecting controversial Purdue Pharma settlement

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – Just weeks after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a nationwide opioid settlement involving Purdue Pharma, in a narrow vote of 5 to 4, an Alaskan mother is speaking out about the decision. Sandy Snodgrass lost her 22-year-old son, Bruce Snodgrass, to fentanyl poisoning in October 2021. Since then, she has been fighting Alaska’s opioid crisis and hoping to bring awareness on impacts of taking the illicit drugs.

In late June, Supreme Court justices ruled against a bankruptcy settlement for Purdue Pharma, valued at roughly 6 billion dollars, which manufactures the painkiller OxyContin. Others involved in the court case include roughly 60,000 family members who lost loved ones to opioids, particularly OxyContin, who sued Purdue Pharma.

Snodgrass was happy with the Supreme Court’s ruling, as she believes the settlement would have shielded Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family.

“It got watered down over the years that it ended up to become only 6 billion and the shield that would protect them forever from any future litigation,” Snodgrass said. “So the families were not supportive of that lawsuit any longer and we’re very, very grateful and pleased that the lawsuit was rejected from the Supreme Court.”

She believes in the beginning the lawsuit was good, but became less powerful the years which caused her to lose support for it.

“The $6 billion on the surface, sounds like a lot of money, it is a lot of money,” Snodgrass said. “But when we look at the devastation that millions and millions of people were effected by OxyContin, $6 billion is nothing.”

Snodgrass says her son Bruce was prescribed OxyContin, when he got his wisdom teeth out at 17 years old, which she believes led him to becoming involved with drugs and eventually led to his death. She holds the Sackler family culpable for the fentanyl crisis the nation is in today.

“I administered those pills to my son,” Snodgrass said. “I believe that started the train wreck of his life and my life and his ultimate poisoning by fentanyl, because of that OxyContin.”

Snodgrass feels the amount of money is insulting, especially from a large company like Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family. She knows some families were ready to receive money from the settlement, but for her it was not enough.

Snodgrass says she and other families who have lost loved ones want to see the Sackler family members involved with Purdue Pharma and OxyContin go to prison. If that doesn’t happen, she emphasized there will likely be lawsuits coming forward, where Purdue Pharma will be paying much more than the $6 billion.

“If the DOJ or the Department of Justice does not imprison the Sacklers, we want every single dime that they ever made to go towards the families and go towards prevention and go towards treatment,” Snodgrass said.

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